Hawai‘i Pacific University’s award-winning
cheerleading squads are adding eight new top awards to their
trophy case.

The All-Girl and Co-Ed teams just returned from the National
Cheerleading Association College Camp at Southern Methodist University
in Dallas, Texas.

Without having practiced all summer, the HPU
teams, including more than 30 returning members of the 2004
HPU National
Champion squad, faced cheerleaders from colleges all across
the country at the NCA camp, held July 27-30.

“
We never met before Dallas,” said new Head Cheer Coach
and nine-time national championship cheerleader Matt Parkey. “We
pulled together as a team and worked together.”

In the first meeting, practice, and competition
with Coach Parkey, the HPU cheerleaders took home eight of
the top ten
awards, including
the prestigious NCA Spirit Award.

“
The camp leaders and other coaches gave us so many compliments.
They said our team was so polite and friendly,” added
Parkey.

HPU was unanimously voted to receive the
top honor by all teams present at the camp. Showing off their
game day presence,
both
teams took top prize in the Most Collegiate Squad and Game
Day competitions. The all-girl squad and the co-ed team
each beat
out the competition to win first place for their spirit
routines. Thirteen HPU cheerleaders made all-American,
while “Sharky
the Sea Warrior” mascot was voted Most Collegiate.

“
This really does show that we’re one big ‘ohana,” said
Coach Parkey. “HPU really supports this program,
and that contributes to the feeling of family.”

HPU’s National Champion cheerleading
squad is composed of male and female athletes highly skilled
in areas such as
gymnastics and partner stunting. The squad promotes school
spirit for HPU
athletic teams and can be seen performing at HPU volleyball
and basketball games, as well as various community events.

In April, HPU’s cheerleaders placed
first in their division at the National Cheerleaders Association
Chick-fil-A Collegiate
Championship in Daytona Beach, Fla., beating out hundreds
of the top college teams in the country.

The HPU team also struck gold in 2003, taking
home the first place trophy. In 2002, HPU placed second in
the
nation.